Two balloons sailed skywards in a poignant tribute following the funeral service of young brothers whose lives were cut brutally short.

Family, friends and neighbours gathered at St Mary’s Parish Church in Hinckley to say a final farewell to Adam and Matthew Stokes.

The boys, aged 11 and five, died during a domestic disturbance at their family home in Welwyn Road Hinckley last November.

A service of thanksgiving was attended by a congregation of 315 who filled St Mary’s, wearing colourful garb with red and blue as the highlights, as requested by mum, Sally.

Adam Stokes, 11, and his brother Matthew, five

Floral tributes had already been placed on the steps opposite the church entrance before the funeral cortège arrived with the caskets of the brothers in separate cars.

Befitting family wishes the caskets reflected the joys of the boys’ lives with Adam’s having a Liverpool FC theme and photographs of Anfield and Matthew’s in primary blue and yellow featuring Lego Batman, Transformers and other cartoon characters.

Huge floral displays of the boys names were carried into church ahead of the funeral party, again in bright hues of red and yellow.

The Funeral of Adam and Matthew Stokes, from Hinckley, is held at St Mary's Church in Hinckley Picture: Will Johnston

During the service prayers and hymns accompanied cherished memories of the brothers, before they were carried aloft once more by the pall bearers of G Seller to the waiting limousines.

At the church door mum Sally released the two balloons before spending emotional moments saying her own goodbyes over the caskets.

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Hugs and consolation came from those in the crowd who, on the departure of the cortège, burst into spontaneous applause. A private committal service followed.

Statements had been prepared from Sally and family, the boys school, St Mary’s Church of England Primary and St Mary’s Church itself.

The family statement read out by the Reverend Angela Tarry, curate at St Mary’s said: “This day has been long awaited. Sally and her family would like to thank her friends, Adam and Matthew’s friends and the whole community for all uniting together and showing such support at what has and continues to be the most difficult time of their lives.”

The Funeral of Adam and Matthew Stokes, from Hinckley, is held at St Mary's Church in Hinckley Picture: Will Johnston

Thanks were extended to the police forces involved, Reverend John Whittaker and St Mary’s Church, the school, victim support, staff at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and Sally’s post traumatic stress disorder counsellor.

Special thanks were also offered to Rhonda and all at G Sellers, with the statement ending: ”Sally and her family now ask for privacy to allow her and her family to grieve in private.”

St Mary’s Primary School had closed early as a mark of respect for the brothers and to allow pupils and their families to ready themselves for the service.

Headteacher Rachel Ayres said the school had been deeply saddened and shocked by the deaths of Adam and Matthew.

She added: “They played a huge part in the life of St Mary’s and had many friends. They were loved by their teachers. While we know the boys are gone we are remembering with fondness those happy memories which will live in our hearts forever. This morning we set off a read and blue balloon in memory of the boys, while I read a poem.”

The Funeral of Adam and Matthew Stokes, from Hinckley, is held at St Mary's Church in Hinckley Picture: Will Johnston

Speaking on behalf of the church, Reverend John Whittaker said: “The terrible events of November 2 last year have left a family and community devastated as the lives of Adam and Matthew have been taken from us.

“At a time like this we see the best in people and the power of community.

"We are deeply thankful for the love of family and friends, the work of the emergency services, the care of the school and the prayers of so many.

“This afternoon’s funeral is not the end of the story of our grief and loss but we trust it will provide - has provided - a place and a time to face our loss, renew our hope in God’s loving purposes, celebrate with thanksgiving the lives of Adam and Matthew and allow us to say goodbye.

"Adam, Matthew, rest in peace and rise in glory.”

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The circumstances surrounding Adam and Matthew’s death have not been publicly released and it is still unknown how they died.

Initial post mortem examinations proved inconclusive. An inquest has now been deferred until the autumn.

The tragic series of events started at around 9.30pm on Tuesday November 2 when neighbours in Welwyn Road alerted police after hearing a disturbance.

Officers and specialist negotiators were brought in as it appeared the boys’ father David Stoke had barricaded the family inside the three-bed semi.

The Funeral of Adam and Matthew Stokes, from Hinckley, is held at St Mary's Church in Hinckley Picture: Will Johnston

A stand-off ensued and it wasn’t until gone 2am when Sally managed to flee and police entered the property to find the bodies of Adam and Matthew.

The body of David, aged 43, was also found.

A post mortem examination later revealed he had died from a stab wound to the chest.

Sally was treated for injuries at the scene before being taken to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire where she remained until November 8.